26-Bit Wiegand Format & Work?
The name “Wiegand” comes from its creator, the German-born engineer, John R. Wiegand, who in the 1970’s discovered that wires made of a cobalt, iron and vanadium alloy will switch polarity when run through strong magnetic fields. Placing a sensor coil nearby will be capable of picking up the change in polarity as a high-voltage pulse, and then translate that pulse into data. He used these discoveries to create what became known as Wiegand wires and Wiegand cards.
A Wiegand
card uses two short wires, which store data magnetically in the card; these two
wires are known as Data low, or Data0 and Data high, or Data1.
When the card is pulled through the reader, the wires transmit the either high
or low voltage signal as 1 and 0’s, respectively, creating a binary data line
for authenticating the swipe card’s credentials. (There actually is a third
wire, as well, providing common ground).
There are a few different variations of the Wiegand protocol in existence, but the original is the most common, known as the 26-bit Wiegand format, or often just the 26-bit format. This is a very common open format, meaning that virtually anyone can buy compatible cards and readers and program them to work using the 26-bit Format. It uses one parity bit, followed by 8 bits of facility code, 16 bits of ID code, and another trailing parity bit, for a total of 26 bits. This was the standard for a long time and remains in use in many systems, though a variety of different extensions have now been built off it.
Card readers and other components of access control systems need to speak a common language to function and work properly. Like most other forms of technology, access control systems use a binary number system to communicate. One of the most common formats for access systems is the 26-bit Wiegand format. It was first developed over 50 years ago, and because it’s so simple and accessible, it’s still used today.
What is the 26 bit Wiegand format, how does it work, and where is it
used? Learn more below.
What is 26-Bit Wiegand Format?
The 26-bit Wiegand format is a format for binary encoded data used mainly on access control devices. It’s an extremely common open format, and most access control systems are automatically designed to be able to read 26-bit Wiegand. Because it’s an open format, anybody can buy and use cards in this format, and it is possible for duplicate cards to exist.
Although various companies make access control systems, one of the most popular brands is HID. The brand is so popular that people often refer to any access control system as an HID system. However, various brands and manufacturers make 26-bit Wiegand format access cards, not just HID. If you buy or use any basic access system, it’s highly likely that the system runs using the 26-bit Wiegand format.
Key
Features of the 26-Bit Wiegand Format
- 26-Bit Data: The format consists of 26 bits,
divided into three parts: 8 bits for the facility code, 16 bits for the
card number, and 2 bits for parity.
- Facility Code: The first 8 bits represent the
facility code, which identifies the site or organization.
- Card Number: The next 16 bits represent the
card number, which is unique to each cardholder.
- Parity Bits: The last 2 bits are parity
bits, used for error detection.
- Even/Odd Parity: The parity bits use even/odd
parity, where the first parity bit is the even parity of the first 12
bits, and the second parity bit is the odd parity of the last 12 bits.
This format is an industry standard known as H10301. The term “bit” refers to the numbers in the code, so each code consists of 26 numbers. Wiegand refers to the Wiegand protocol, which is the name for the wiring standard. It’s named after John R. Wiegand, whose discoveries in the 1970s laid the basis for the standard 26 bit format.
The first and last numbers in the 26-bit Wiegand format are beginning and ending bits known as parity bits. They are not part of the unique identification laid out in the code. Bits two through nine make up the facility code. The facility code consists of eight bits. Bits 10 through 25 make up the ID number. The ID number consists of 16 bits.
Here is
how the code in 26-bit Wiegand appears when P stands for parity bit, F stands
for facility code bit, and I stands for ID number bit:
PFFFFFFFFIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP
The 26-bit Wiegand format allows for 256 possible facility codes and 65,535 possible ID numbers. When combining both unique identifiers, this allows for 16,711,425 unique access cards.
The 26-bit
Wiegand format consists of a sequence of 26 bits, divided into three main
parts:
·
Facility
Code (FC): The first
8 bits (bits 1-8) represent the facility code, which identifies the specific
facility or organization issuing the card.
·
Card
Number (CN): The next
16 bits (bits 9-24) represent the card number, which is unique to each
cardholder.
· Parity Bit (PB): The last 2 bits (bits 25-26) are parity bits, used for error detection.
Rather than being written out with numbers or letters as in the example above, the code is represented in an access card or other access device with a series of wires. We’ll explain more about how that works below.
How Does 26-Bit Wiegand Format Work?
Back in the 1970s, Weigand discovered that cobalt, iron, and vanadium
alloy wires switch polarity when they enter a magnetic field. He also found
that sensor coils can pick up the change in polarity. This laid the groundwork
for the modern Weigand protocol where access card readers are able to translate
and read the code that lies hidden in the wires inside access devices.
26-bit
Wiegand access cards have three wires inside: data low (data0), data high
(data1), and a ground wire. Because binary numbers are expressed as 0 or 1,
data0 and data1 are used to create those binary numbers that the access control
system can read. When the data0 wire transmits a signal, the computer reads it
as 0, and when the data1 wire transmits a signal, the computer reads it as 1.
The wires are uniquely designed to create a different code for each cardholder.
When a device that’s encoded with the format passes through the field of a card reader, it picks up on the unique sequence of bits contained in the device. Then, it grants access if the facility code and ID number in the device are allowed access. Of course, the system can also deny access if the code in the card or other access device does not match an approved code.
Here's a
step-by-step explanation:
1. Card Swipe: A user swipes their access control
card through a reader.
2. Data Extraction: The reader extracts the 26-bit
Wiegand code from the card's magnetic stripe or RFID chip.
3. Bit Transmission: The reader transmits the 26-bit
code, one bit at a time, to the access control panel or secure authentication
device.
4. Bit Representation: Each bit is represented by a
specific voltage or signal level, with 0 volts typically representing a binary
0 and 5 volts representing a binary 1.
5. Data Format: The 26-bit code consists of:
·
Facility
Code (8 bits): Identifies the facility or organization issuing the card.
·
Card
Number (16 bits): Unique to each cardholder.
·
Parity
Bits (2 bits): Used for error detection.
6. Authentication: The access control panel or secure
authentication device verifies the received 26-bit code against stored data,
ensuring the facility code, card number, and parity bits match.
7. Access Decision: If the verification is successful, the device grants access or performs the desired action.
Where Is the 26-Bit Wiegand Format Used?
The 26-bit
Wiegand format is most often used in standard access control systems. You’ll
find wires corresponding to the 26 bits in access cards, key fobs, fingerprint
readers, and other access control devices.
The data on a standard Wiegand-formatted device is not encrypted. This, of course, presents a vulnerability and is one of the reasons this format has lost some of the popularity it previously held. It’s also possible for duplicate 26-bit Weigand access devices to exist, which is a major concern for industries that highly value security.
You’ll
often find access control systems that use the 26-bit Wiegand format in older
buildings because it was once the gold standard. Unless there is a malfunction
in the equipment, there isn’t often an immediate need for companies to upgrade
to a different format even though the 26-bit Wiegand format is becoming a bit
outdated. It still works very well for most use cases.
However, newer buildings and newer access control systems are beginning to favor different formats, such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP). This can increase security because it is encrypted. For this reason, you’re also less likely to find 26-bit Wiegand formats in buildings and campuses where security is of utmost importance.
Nonetheless, the 26-bit Wiegand format is still used today for many reasons. It’s easy to use, it’s readily available, and most card reader door locks and access control systems are equipped to read the format. If you purchase or install an access control system and you don’t specify or request a particular format, it’s likely your system uses the 26-bit Wiegand format.
Advantages
of the 26-Bit Wiegand Format
- Wide Compatibility: The 26-bit Wiegand format is
widely supported by access control systems and RFID readers.
- High Security: The use of parity bits and a
large data format provides high security against data tampering and
unauthorized access.
- Easy Implementation: The 26-bit Wiegand format is
easy to implement and integrate with existing access control systems.
- Scalability: The
26-bit format provides a large address space, allowing for a high number
of unique card numbers and facility codes.
Limitations
of the 26-Bit Wiegand Format
- Limited Data Capacity: The 26-bit Wiegand format has
limited data capacity, which can make it difficult to store additional
data, such as biometric information.
- No Encryption: The 26-bit Wiegand format does not provide encryption, which can make it vulnerable to eavesdropping and data interception.